Receptacle for beach supplies



March 5, 1963 J. c. TROY RECEPTACLE FOR BEACH SUPPLIES Filed Oct. 1, 1959 FIG. I

FIG. 2

INVENTOR JOSEPH C. TROY United rates Patent Gfiice Patented Mar. 5, 1953 3,679,965 RECERTAQLE FGR EEAQH UPPLES Joseph 6. Troy, Philadelphia, Pa. (464 Giympic Ava, Havertown, Pa.) Filed Oct. 1, 1959, Ser. No. 843,366 3 Claims. (Cl. 153-1) My invention relates to tote bags and more particularly to tote bags for small toilet articles and like equipment that is used on the beach at the seashore or pool and at picnics.

It is an object of my invention to provide a tote bag comprised of a rigid support member which supports and is attached to a flexible diaphragm having pockets on each side thereof wherein articles of various kinds can be placed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tote bag having an inverted U-shaped rigid support frame that can be forced down into the sand or soft earth and then provide a support for an elevated flexible container having a multiplicity of pockets.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tote bag having an inverted U-shaped rigid support frame threaded through a flexible diaphragm; the diaphragm having a notched portion at the top thereof wherein the rigid frame is exposed, the exposed portion of the rigid frame serving as a handle when toting the bag.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tote bag having an inverted U-shaped rigid support member the downwardly extending legs of the support member acting as legs when the tote bag is stored, leaning against a wall or other vertical surface.

Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved device of the character described which is easily and economically produced, sturdy and compact in construction, easily cleaned, and which provides containers that keep the contained articles above the sandy beach or dusty earth in a position that assists in keeping the articles in an uncontaminated condition.

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consists in details of construction as hereinafter shall be described, the description will be more readily understood when the description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an improved tote bag embodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the tote bag positioned on a sandy beach.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a modification of my tote bag.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, I show a tote bag generally designated as A, comprised of a rigid U-shaped support member generally designated as B, and a flexible diaphragm generally designated as C. The diaphragm C is fabricated of two thicknesses of cloth or other flexible material, stitched at 1, 1 along the sides and stitch d at 2, 2 near the top. The stitchin 1, 1 and 2, 2 in the diaphragm C provides a channel through which the rigid support member B is inserted. When the rigid support member is in place within the flexible diaphragm C the side members 3, 3 of the rigid frame tend to keep the flexible diaphragm taut while the top member 4 of the rigid frame supports the flexible diaphragm and the articles in the pockets, 5, 5, 5.

The pockets -5, 5, 5, are fixedly attached to one side of the flexible diaphragm C and to the other side of the flexible diaphragm is attached a similarly disposed group of pockets (not shown).

The downwardly extending portions of the side members 3, 3 of the rigid support member B provide legs on which to stand the tote bag, leaning against a vertical surface, and spears on their lower ends to be thrust down into the sand or soft earth when a spot has been selected to place the tote bag when out of doors.

A notch 6 is provided in the upper center portion of the flexible diaphragm C to permit the top member 4- of the rigid support member B to be exposed and thereby provide a handle that is used when withdrawing the rigid support member from the earth or sand and when toting the bag.

FIG. 3 shows a modification of the tote bag in which the horizontal member 4' is separable from the vertical members 3, 3 just below the elbows at the ends of the member 4', by means of screw threaded connections 8, 8, the vertical members 3', 3 having male threads at the top. The bag C has the corners cut away as at lit, to to permit ready removal of the member 4', upon disassembly. To disassemble the tote bag for storage, cleaning or other purpose, it is merely necessary to remove the vertical members 3', 3' and slide the member out of the diaphragm C. Instead of the threaded connection 8 shown in FIG. 3, this connection may be of the bayonet or any other suitable type. Snap fasteners 12, 12 are placed on the cover instead of the stitching 2, 2 of the modification shown in FIG. 2. Snap fasteners 14, 14 are provided to secure the pockets 5', 5, 5' in closed position, if desired. With the legs 3', 3' removed, the device becomes a useful carryall or carrying bag which is carried by grasping the member 4 where it is accessible in the notch 6.

It is to be observed that in the embodiment of my invention, as illustrated and described, the device may be readily assembled and disassembled for cleaning and storage.

Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and the scope is to be determ ned as claimed.

I claim:

1. A tote bag comprising, in combination, a rigid U- shaped support, said support having a pair of parallel legs and a bridging section uppermost, said legs having the lower ends thereof tapered to permit easy insertion in the ground, and a flexible diaphragm secured to said support member, said diaphragm having a multiplicity of pockets on opposite sides thereof, and provided with a notched portion at the top thereof, said notched portion exposing a medial portion of the bridging section of the U-shaped support to permit the hand of the user to grasp said medial portion for use as a handle to carry said tote bag, said diaphragm being positioned on the bridging section and upper portions of the legs of said support member whereby the lower portions of the legs protrude below the lower edge of the diaphragm.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said legs are separable from said bridging section to provide a carry-all bag and to permit ready disassembly of the diaphragm from said support.

7 3 3. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said diaphragm is releasably secured to said support, and is held in place on said support by means of snap fasteners.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 97,645 Landberg Nov. 26, 1935 1,291,914 Kelley Jan. 21, 1919 1,653,246 Zichy Dec. 20, 1927 films 

1. A TOTE BAG COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RIGID USHAPED SUPPORT, SAID SUPPORT HAVING A PAIR OF PARALLEL LEGS AND A BRIDGING SECTION UPPERMOST, SAID LEGS HAVING THE LOWER ENDS THEREOF TAPERED TO PERMIT EASY INSERTION IN THE GROUND, AND A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID DIAPHRAGM HAVING A MULTIPLICITY OF POCKETS ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, AND PROVIDED WITH A NOTCHED PORTION AT THE TOP THEREOF, SAID NOTCHED PORTION EXPOSING A MEDIAL PORTION OF THE BRIDGING SECTION OF THE U-SHAPED SUPPORT TO PERMIT THE HAND OF THE USER TO GRASP SAID MEDIAL PORTION FOR USE AS A HANDLE TO CARRY 